A&J Europe Up and Running in Wales

NEWTOWN, Wales (23 May 2000)--Last week A&J Europe Bicycle Manufacturing Ltd., the newly formed subsidiary of A&J Ent. Co. Ltd. of Taiwan, opened up production at its brand-new Newtown, Wales, site. So far the factory has called for an investment of GBP500,000. Production is currently set at 400 bicycles a day, all destined for Moore Large & Co. Yet now that it is up and running, A&J Europe is looking to attract customers from throughout Europe, one of its mother company's major markets. "Our strategy is to run our factory just as it would be run in Taiwan," says the company's managing director Jon Edwards. "All purchasing of parts is controlled by our Taiwan office, and as many European parts as possible are being used. Any bike specification is possible, including trekking, ATB (at all levels) and junior bikes such as BMX." The Wales site features two production lines, each with a capacity of approximately 800 bicycles a day, and fitted with completely new machinery. The company plans to have 60 people managing the lines in the next few months. Moreover, plans already exist to add another 10,000 square meters in August to house painting and some TIG welding machines. (JW)